I think Vatanen can carry a journeyman linemate on the first pairing as well as Greene at this point, and if you pair Severson with Vats you have two RHD and two LHD on each line. I know it would be a big jump from last year for Butcher, but from my perspective it seems like a way to even things out if Butcher could handle the time and if Vatanen can cover him. They could be a dynamite pairing.

Greene looked a little behind the play a lot last year and will be no faster this year and has been pretty stable with Severson.

I guess the top two lines are sort of interchangeable (similar in net skill) if they split the minutes, so if they put the Captain on the 'top pair' to start the night whats then rotate them accordingly what's the difference.

I think Vatanen can carry a journeyman linemate on the first pairing as well as Greene at this point, and if you pair Severson with Vats you have two RHD and two LHD on each line. I know it would be a big jump from last year for Butcher, but from my perspective it seems like a way to even things out if Butcher could handle the time and if Vatanen can cover him. They could be a dynamite pairing.

Greene looked a little behind the play a lot last year and will be no faster this year and has been pretty stable with Severson.

I guess the top two lines are sort of interchangeable (similar in net skill) if they split the minutes, so if they put the Captain on the 'top pair' to start the night whats then rotate them accordingly what's the difference.- TRDevil

Only thing is you have 2 D playing their opposite sides. For some it's no big deal, but for others it can be a major issue

I just want the season to get going already so we can have closure on what to expect - a train-wreck, or more pleasant surprises like last year.. with hopefully Zacha, Butcher, Santini, Mueller, Bratt, Hischier, and a new young prospect making progressive jumps in their play. There will be a lot to watch with our kids, but if we just flat out suck (that defense..), it's gona be a long season.

The question isn't who is Santini playing with. It's who is Mueller playing with. Mirco is very likely to make the team. Santini will have to fight for the #6 spot against Lovejoy and the rest.- Queenie_5_hole

The question isn't 'what are we going to do', the question is 'what aren't we going to do?'

With the new commitment to Santini and Edmonton losing Andrej Sekera to a serious injury, Shero should offer up Lovejoy to the Oilers. One year left on his contract should bring back maybe a 5th.
Open up opportunity for the younger guys to see if they will ever stick.

With the new commitment to Santini and Edmonton losing Andrej Sekera to a serious injury, Shero should offer up Lovejoy to the Oilers. One year left on his contract should bring back maybe a 5th.
Open up opportunity for the younger guys to see if they will ever stick.- Relentless

Problem is Lovejoy isnt the only expendable D in the NHL, they might have better options. But I like your thinking.

With the new commitment to Santini and Edmonton losing Andrej Sekera to a serious injury, Shero should offer up Lovejoy to the Oilers. One year left on his contract should bring back maybe a 5th.
Open up opportunity for the younger guys to see if they will ever stick.- Relentless

Wouldn't be the worst trade between Ed and Nj. However they will likely be cap contrained after they negotiate Nurses contract. 2.67M for a horrible NHL defenseman is unlikely to fetch any return.

Wouldn't be the worst trade between Ed and Nj. However they will likely be cap contrained after they negotiate Nurses contract. 2.67M for a horrible NHL defenseman is unlikely to fetch any return.- bikeguy99

You never know what could happen when Chia and Shero get on the phone....
But we could east some of the salary or trade some cap space with them in the process. I don't think Edmonton would be interested in Lovejoy, but if there was it could get worked out.

Shero said Butchers inures will be managed again this year as he continues to learn.
He will play PP minutes and be a third pairing. -he did well there.

Mueller -Vats -Mueller is big and makes good decisions also fast. he must learn
Greene -Severson -Greene will be 36 . hs steadiness will help SEVERSOn develop.
Butcher -Santini /Lovejoy -Lovejoy is slow . but the stay at home style let Butcher do his thing .
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Shero said Butchers inures will be managed again this year as he continues to learn.
He will play PP minutes and be a third pairing. -he did well there.

Mueller -Vats -Mueller is big and makes good decisions also fast. he must learn
Greene -Severson -Greene will be 36 . hs steadiness will help SEVERSOn develop.
Butcher -Santini /Lovejoy -Lovejoy is slow . but the stay at home style let Butcher do his thing .
---- thechezman